China's population of Internet users has jumped by nearly 20 percent over the past year to 123 million, with broadband access soaring.
According to an annual survey made by official China Internet Network Information Centre, the number of web sites in China rose by more than 110,000 to a total of 788,400. China is already the world's second-biggest after the U.S. in respect of Internet users. China encourages Internet use for business and education. The country has invested heavily in broadband service, though the communist government tries to bar access to material considered pornographic or subversive. The average Chinese Internet user now spends 16.5 hours per week online, a new record high. The number of Internet users in China with broadband service jumped by 45 percent over the past year to 77 million, or about two-thirds of the total online population, as stated by the Internet agency.
